Collecting Jamestown: Part 7. Witch Bottle? Magic Coins?

Yesterday was Jamestown Day: May 14th.

Jamestown on a cloudy Friday the 13th.

   I  missed it, but I was there for pre-Jamestown Day. Instead of beating off the crowds, I arrived in the early morning of May 13th -- I was the only one in the fort (once again). But the archeologists were already at work: In the cellar & at the Archaearium.
   In the cellar, three of them were gently removing dirt from one of the post molds. They mentioned that "some coins" had been found recently, but they were not the finders, so no details yet.
   The cellar is located just outside the 1608 extension, along the northeast corner. A well is located inside the structure, but "few artifacts" were mentioned. I detected a sigh of
disappointment. But a piece of wood with copper in it was found while I was there (what is it?).
   One of the archeologists ventured to say that the cellar might be part of "a blockhouse."
   Inside the Archaearium, three more archeologists (they were everywhere!) were discussing the tobacco pipes. They were kind to allow me to slip in some questions.
   Specifically, I was wondering about the "witch bottle" that was found in the "Factory." Now let's be clear: no one is saying it is definitely a witch bottle, but Kelso suggested it might be in his book. As for the field reports, it was only described as a broken case bottle that might have contained some quartz pebbles (an odd find to be sure).
   The bottle was found at the foot of the steps in a "lobby area" of the Factory. This placement is revealing, as it protects the entrance and is placed next to an old hearth (another entrance -- for witches only).

Case Bottle from Jamestown

   Want to know more? Check the 2000-2006 Interim Reports (p.42). As a necromancer, I am enthralled with all things witches. AND, there are some bent and cut coins from Jamestown that suggest that some of the settlers had appealed to medieval church magic for protection.
   Witches in Jamestown! Are you surprised? You should not be. After all, James I authored Daemonologie in 1597 -- so witches were about and were feared. Closer to home (Jamestown that is) William Strachey wrote of the Powhatans that their "chief god they worship is no other indeed than the devil ...." Also, Reverend Alexander Whitaker noted that "there be great witches among" the Indians. There are many such reports of demonic forces in Virginia.
   Of note, the "witches" of Jamestown were outside the fort, as opposed to the many "witches" in New England who were more likely to be your neighbors.
   I might have a witch living down the street ... not sure of this, but my milk did sour last week.
   So back to Jamestown. I did not see the actual witch bottle found. But I include an image of a case bottle from Jamestown.
   Of note, only three other "Witch Bottles" have been found the US: two in PA and one in MD (of course, many have been found in England). I plan to visit the witch bottle
in MD and will report on it. As for the bent and cut coins: More on that later!